Gladys Berry, daughter of the late Luie Robinson and Pearl Runsick Robinson was born on November 16, 1926 in Poughkeepsie, Arkansas and departed this life on February 2, 2017 at her son’s home in Kennesaw, Georgia at the age of 90 years.
Mrs. Berry was a member of the Essex Church of Christ and a former resident of Essex, Missouri.
On June 4, 1954 she was united in marriage to David “HERB” Berry in Benton, Missouri. Mr. Berry preceded her in death on October 23, 2016.
Survivors include one son, David Berry Jr. of Kennesaw, Georgia along with other relatives and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, George Henry Robinson, Charles Herman Robinson, and James Scott Robinson; by two sisters, Cleophas Gibson and Derenda Robinson.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Monday, February 6, 2017.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Monday at 11:00 A.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Herman Morse officiating.
Interment will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.
Marjorie Ann Crites of Oran, daughter of the late Raymond Virgil and Lucy Opal Sweet Ward, was born in Wappapello, Missouri on August 4, 1941, and passed away at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on February 3, 2017, at the age of 75 years, 5 months and 30 days.
Mrs. Crites had lived in the Puxico area until moving to Oran in 1978. She had worked as a hair dresser and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She had attended the Morley Baptist Church.
On August 15, 1959 she married Jerry Crites in Puxico, Missouri. He preceded her in death on September 12, 2002.
Surviving are one son, John Crites of Oran, Missouri; four grandsons, Mitchell and Shane Crites both of Oran, Allen Crites of Jackson, Justin West of Fayetteville, Arkansas; three great grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle & Khloe Crites all of Jackson; one brother, Troy Ward of Lakin, Kansas; and a special life long friend, Jerry Crisel of Puxico.
Other relatives and many friends also survive.
She was preceded in death by one son, Michael Crites on December 19, 2014.
Friends may call on Sunday, February 5, 2017, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Puxico, Missouri.
Interment will follow in the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, Missouri in charge of arrangements.
Watkins & Sons Funeral Service
www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
Joel A. Montgomery was born on March 25, 1920 in Biggers, Arkansas. Raised in a humble and loving home, Joel developed his entrepreneurial spirit at a young age selling vegetables grown by his family. His beginnings may have been meager, but it was the beginning of a successful career.
He passed on Friday, February 3, 2017.
Later in his life, and following his service in the U.S. Army, Joel moved to Saint Louis and entered Washington University law school. Also during this time, he joined the Dolan Real Estate Company. This is where Joel says he "found his life's work" and came to realize that he didn't want to practice law, but that he wanted to be a "real estate man."
In 1950, Joel bought land in Tennessee and moved his family to Memphis. Joel Montgomery built and developed over 6,000 homes, apartments, and condominiums in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, including the first-ever condominium project in Memphis, Tennessee. He was well on his way to becoming a successful real estate developer, including land holdings in several states and one foreign country.
In 1957, Tennessee-based Union Planters sought a new, stronger stockholder to purchase Sikeston's Planters Bank. Joel Montgomery met the challenge. After his purchase of Planters Bank, he moved his young family to Sikeston, converted the charter to a national banking charter, and renamed his bank the First National Bank.
In 2004, the bank's name was changed to what it is today, Montgomery Bank, to honor the founder, Joel A. Montgomery, Sr.
During his illustrious career, he has been named Sikeston's "Man of the Year" and was honored with an extraordinary distinction being listed as one of former President George H.W Bush's "1,000 Points of Light." For all of his financial success, however, Joel Montgomery is especially proud of the role he played in establishing both the Sikeston Rescue Mission and the Bootheel Food Bank. Both are non-profit enterprises with a mission focus to help the needy of Southeast Missouri. In addition, he was honored to be member of the Masonic Order. He was a member of the Scottish and York Rites, and a Thirty Second and Thirty Third Degree Mason.
Joel Montgomery was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Blue Montgomery.
Surviving are his children Richard H. Montgomery, III (Christy Seabaugh), Elizabeth Montgomery Wilson (Troy) and Joel A. Montgomery, Jr. (Maggie Moore). Other survivors include: Richard Henley Montgomery IV, William Joel Montgomery, Julianna Christine Ford, Troy Lee Wilson, Jr., Samuel Montgomery Wilson, Jordan Elizabeth Montgomery, Michael Reed Montgomery, Joel Andrew Montgomery and David Moore Montgomery. In addition, he had five great grandchildren. Joel Montgomery is also survived by his loving friend and companion, Carol Gilmore. In the final years of his life, Joel Montgomery was cared for with great love by Jessie Tate Shannon and Orlando Maurice Perkins.
Visitation will be held on Monday February 6, 2017 from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.
The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm, at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, MO., Rev. Tom Bass, former minister at Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church in Sikeston and Pastor, Jennifer Moxley, of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, officiating.
Burial will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston Mo.
Arrangements under the direction of Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, Sikeston, MO.
Pallbearers include: R. Henley Montgomery, William J. Montgomery. Troy Lee Wilson, Samuel M. Wilson, M. Reed Montgomery, J. Andrew Montgomery and Jessie Tate Shannon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church or the Bootheel Food Bank are requested.
Travis Leo Hitt, 41, of Advance passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Travis was born Oct. 25, 1975, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Dennis and Glenda Hampton Hitt.
Travis was a 1994 graduate of Advance High School. He had been a driver for Coca-Cola since 1998. He was an avid hunter and especially liked bow hunting. He had a great love for the outdoors. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and enjoyed going to Busch Stadium to watch games.
Travis was very involved with the youth sports programs in Advance. He had been a tee-ball and baseball coach for his children's teams for many years. Travis and his wife, Melissa, had been in charge of the Advance Elementary Basketball program for many years. He loved coaching his son's basketball team. He was a role model for many children. He was very involved with the Advance school and the community of Advance.
Travis had a passion for music. He also loved watching movies. His family enjoyed having family movie night together.
Travis was known for being a kind, honest and loyal person. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, son and brother. He was a friend to everyone he knew.
Travis and Melissa Blair were united in marriage Sept. 2, 2000, in Advance, and she survives of the home.
Loving survivors include his parents, Dennis and Glenda Hitt of Advance; his wife, Melissa Hitt of the home; a son, Hayden Leo Hitt of the home; a daughter, Kyndall Blair Hitt of the home; a brother, Tyler Hitt of Jackson; and a host of other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leo and Myrtle Hitt; and his maternal grandparents, Tom and Mildred Hampton.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Eric Shrum officiating and the Rev. Fred Ritter assisting. Burial will be at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to an education fund for his children, Hayden and Kyndall, at First Commercial Bank in Advance.
Dennis Lee Taylor of Bloomfield, son of the late Lonnie Emerson and Dolly Ann Pearcy Taylor, was born in Sikeston, Missouri on August 2, 1948, and passed away at his home in Bloomfield, Missouri on January 31, 2017, at the age of 68 years, 5 months and 29 days.
Dennis had lived in Bloomfield most of his life. He had worked as a welder at Arvin Automotive. He enjoyed fishing, camping and woodworking.
On October 3, 1970, he married Barbara Kay Sanders in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara Kay Taylor of Bloomfield; one daughter & husband, Karen & Vince Lockhart of Bloomfield; two sons & wife, Roger Taylor of Bloomfield, Stacy & Jennifer Taylor of Poplar Bluff; three grandchildren, Chase Taylor of Poplar Bluff, Peyton and Nathan Lockhart both of Bloomfield; three brothers & wives, Bruce & Yvonne Taylor of Wappapello, Steve & Karen Taylor of Huntsville, Texas, and Mark & Sandy Taylor of Joplin. Many other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lonnie Taylor, Jr.
Friends may call on Friday, February 3, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.
Services will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. Bob Taylor of Wappapello officiating.
Interment will be in the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in charge of all the arrangements.
Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home - 573-568-4500
www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
